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(No Model.)

' V J T. SOLLENBBRGBR. APPARATUS FOR PLUG GINGAND TOPPING TOMATOES, &c., IN CANS.

- No., 512,913. Patented Jan. 16,1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. SOLLENBERGER, OF KOKOMO, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALBERT A. CHARLES, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR PLUGGING AND TOPPING TOMATOES, &c., [N CANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,913, dated January 16, 1894.

Application filed April 20, 1893- Serial No. 71,088- [No model.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OI-IN T. SOLLENBERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kokorno, in the county of Howard, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Plugging and Topping Tomatoes, &c., in Cans, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a device or apparatus for plugging and topping tomatoes, 850., in cans, the same being adapted to be inserted into the tomatoes or other articles of food, so as to remove the mass of the same from around the opening of the can, whereby said mass presents no interference or obstacle to the successful application and soldering of the cap or cover of the can.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an apparatus for plugging or topping tomatoes in cans, as embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 represents a section on line w, m, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings: A designates a rod or stem whose upper end has the handle or knob B thereon, said rod passing through the top plate 0, and having its lower end connected with the base plate D. Connected with arms E, which are pivotally connected at their lower ends with ears D on the base plate D, are blades F, which latter are at the upper ends of said arms E, and consequently just below the plate 0. Freely fitted on the stem A, between the plates 0 andD is a sliding head G, of conical form, Whose face is grooved and engages with the arms E. To said head G are connected the rods H, which pass freely through openings J in the plate 0, and are attached to the handle B.

Kdesignates a spring which rests upon the plate 0, and bears upwardly against the handle B, for restoring the parts to their normal position.

In the grooves M of the conical head G are freely fitted the tongues or buttons N, which are secured to the arms E, whereby as the head is operated, said arms are moved in and out by the same.

The operation is as follows: When the parts are in their normal condition as in Fig. 2, the device is inserted in the opening of a can, and pushed through the tomatoes, displacing the same until the plate 0 is rested on the top of the can. The handle B is now depressed, whereby the blades F are spread apart, and thus forced against the adjacent tomatoes, whereby the latter are removed from the immediate vicinity of the wall of the opening. The handle is then let go, and the blades quickly close, so that the device may be withdrawn from the can, it being evident that the mass of tomatoes have been somewhat compressed to remain sufficiently long in its new position, whereby the wall of the opening in the can is clear to have the cap or cover applied and soldered without interference of the contents of the can. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus for the purpose named, consisting of a plate, a stem passing through said plate and having ahandle thereon, a base plate secured to the lower end of said stem, arms pivoted to said base plate and carrying blades, and a conical head movable on said stem engaging and guiding said blades, said parts being combined substantially as. described.

2. A series of blades pivotally connected with a support, a stem carrying said support, a conical head movably fitted on said stem and engaging with said blades, a plate through which said stem freely passes, a spring on said plate and bearing against a handle on the upper end of said stem and a handle connected with said headfor depressing the head against said blades for separating the latter, said parts being combined substantially as described.

3. A plate adapted to rest on the top of a can orother receptacle, a stem passing through said plate, and being connected with a plate at bottom, a slidingconical head fitted on said stem, and connected with a handle on the stem, a restoring spring bearing upwardly against said handle, and blades pivoted at their lower ends to the bottom plate and encircling the conical head, whereby. they may be separated and spread against the contents of a can under the opening in the top thereof, substantially as described.

4. In a plugging and topping apparatus, a stem having blades pivotally connected therewith, tongues connected With said blades, and a sliding head having grooves in which said heads move, said parts being combined substantially as described.

5. In a plugging and topping apparatus, a plate with an opening therein, a stem movable in said opening and having a base plate secured thereto, arms with blades therein pivotally connected with said base plate, a conical head having grooves therein, tongues on said arms fitting in said grooves, and rods 

